Jesus Is Born Lesson 14, ages 3-4 Lesson 14 Goal Your child will learn that Jesus was born while Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, and that the angels sang at his birth. Key Points Jesus was born while Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem. The angels sang when Jesus was born. Parent Reflection On the night Jesus was born, angels appeared in the sky and proclaimed, Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! (Luke 2:14). In the Mass, we sing or recite these same words. But what is the connection between peace and our recognition of Jesus presence, and giving glory to God? First, when we recognize Christ s presence in our daily lives, we realize that things are not all up to us. We are relieved of the burden of facing overwhelming tasks, decisions, and situations without God s help. God, who is much bigger than we are, and worthy of our glory, will help us. He has already overcome the whole world. Another way in which giving God glory brings us peace is that this recognition of God brings structure to the chaos of our lives. Our priorities are reorganized when we place God first, giving him the glory he is due. While this also means some limits in our lives, God s guidelines and rules are more about freeing us to be the people he truly made us to be. We don t always know what will make us happy, but God knows what he made us for. Finally, when we know Christ is with us, and when we give God glory over all else, wounds are healed and we are drawn closer to one another. The divisions among us begin to disappear, pain from past failures or broken relationships is dissipated, and we are formed as the Body of Christ, for in our Eucharistic celebration, we as a Church are giving birth to Christ s presence in the world. This truly is cause for rejoicing! Reflection Question How do I give glory to God in my daily life? When have I felt God s peace?
Lesson Preparation Before inviting your child to sit with you for lesson time, prepare all materials. Materials Family Activity Sheet crayons, colored pencils, or markers adult scissors tissue paper glue hole punch (optional) string or yarn (optional) Activity Master #13 and Lesson 14 Activity Master Saint Page (both are included with this lesson) (Keep the saint page from each lesson to gather together a Communion of Saints Book created by your child.) Preparation Steps Cut up tissue paper into 1- to 2-inch squares. Cut out the star pattern from Activity Master #13. Gathering Create a prayerful space. You might place a candle on the table, or set a cross in front of you. Invite your child to join you in quietly preparing for prayer. Begin in prayer: Make the Sign of the Cross together or bless your child by tracing a cross on his or her forehead: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Pray together: Glory to God in the highest! And on earth peace to people of good will. Amen. Discovering Why the Angels Sang. Turn to the first page of the Activity Sheet and read about the angels and Baby Jesus. Ask your child, What would you say to Baby Jesus if you had been a shepherd? Turn to the second page of the Activity Sheet. Ask your child the Ask Me! questions and review the answers. Exploring Use the following activities to enrich your child s understanding of the lesson and of our Catholic faith. 1. Glory to God in the Highest! Turn to the drawing in the main activity of the Activity Sheet (center pages) and invite your child to describe what he or she sees. Give your child crayons or colored pencils. Explain the activity and have your child complete it. 2. Star of Bethlehem. Using Activity Master #13, have your child glue pre-cut squares of tissue-paper onto a star pattern. Optional idea for the star: transform the paper star into an ornament by hole punching and lacing string or yarn for hanging. 3. The Communion of Saints: The Holy Family. Show your child the picture of the Holy Family on the Family Activity page and read about them. Then read more about the Holy Family to your child (see page 3). Ask your child, When did your family begin? Have your child draw about the Holy Family using the Lesson 14 Activity Master. 2
Sending Pray with your child. Begin by making the Sign of the Cross together, or bless your child by tracing a cross on his or her forehead. Pray aloud with your child: Dear God, thank you for Baby Jesus. Help us to love and worship him. Amen. The Holy Family Jesus Had a Family When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he became part of a brand new family. We call it the Holy Family. His mother s name was Mary. His foster father s name was Joseph. They were so happy to have a new baby boy to love! During Jesus life, Joseph and Mary worked hard to keep their baby safe. They moved to Egypt until King Herod died so they could escape his dangerous laws. And later they moved to Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. Because Jesus grew up in a family, he understands what it is like to be a child. He knows what it is like to feel angry at a family member, and then have to feel and say sorry. And he knows what it is like to be happy and. That is called forgiveness. Jesus understands how much we love and need our parents. He also knows that we need our parents to keep us safe. Jesus wants us to love our families. Jesus also knows that sometimes our families include other people whom we love. They may be people whom we did not know when we were born, but who are very special to us now. Sometimes, even, communities of people come together to live as a family. They ask God to bless and protect them. They pray that the Holy Family will understand that we all need a family to love, and to love us. It is good that God gave Jesus a family. 3
Copyright Our Sunday Visitor Allelu! Growing and Celebrating with Jesus 3 4 Year-Old Activity Master 13 331
Holy Family, pray for us! Copyright Our Sunday Visitor Allelu! Growing and Celebrating with Jesus Ages 3 4 Lesson 14